Seafair is upon us with numerous community events happening all across our region, and there are a number of new occurrences this year leading up to the weekend of Aug. 5-6 that are going have impacts on the South End's neighborhoods.
In addition to the Blue Angels' flyovers Friday and the hydroplane time trials and races, there will be a concert in Genesee Park on Saturday, Aug. 5. Following the concert, at 9 p.m., there will be a night-time pyrotechnic air show and a fireworks show over Lake Washington.
For those who live in the area, it means an increase in foot and vehicular traffic on the arterials and side streets, even those designated for local access only. There will be ample police presence and patrol throughout the area during the Seafair events. However, the concert, air show and fireworks show are new events, and the police department has no way to gauge their impact or the influx of people into the neighborhoods.
With this increased activity in mind, the traditional flyovers of the Blue Angels will cause the Washington State Department of Transportation to close the I-90 bridge several times from Thursday, Aug. 3, to Sunday, Aug. 6.
The closure times are listed below. They include all mainline I-90 lanes between Interstate 5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island, and the entire length of the I-90 center roadway. Also, the bridge will be closed to all pedestrians and bicyclists up to 30 minutes prior to posted closure times.
The exits from westbound I-90 to Island Crest Way and East Mercer Way on Mercer Island will remain open, although drivers should note that heavy congestion during these closures restricts access to the exits.
I-90 closures:
Drivers who want to ensure they can cross the lake using I-90 should drive across Lake Washington at least one hour before the announced closure times. No stopping or parking is allowed on the floating bridges.
Thursday, Aug. 3: Two separate bridge closures, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., during which pilots will practice maneuvers and become familiar with area geography.
Friday, Aug. 4; 12:45-2:40 p.m., practice show.
Saturday, Aug. 5; 12:45-2:40 p.m., full show.
Sunday, Aug. 6; 12:45 -2:40 p.m., full show.
Heads up, boaters
A safety zone was created to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, and only boats tied to the log-boom will be allowed in this restricted area during the Blue Angels practices and performances. There is no charge to be on the log-boom Thursday, Aug. 3, or Friday, Aug. 4, however you must pick up a credential pass at the west high-rise on these mornings.
All boaters who are not tied to the log-boom must adhere to the following traffic restrictions until completion of the Blue Angels flyover at approximately 2:30 p.m. via the east high-rise and Bailey Peninsula at no wake speed.
August 3
The west high rise must be cleared by 9 a.m. The east high-rise of I-90 will be closed to all boat traffic from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Waters to the north of Bailey Peninsula will be closed from 7 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Andrews Bay (Seward Park) will be cleared by 8 a.m.
August 4-6
Boaters must stay 3/4 mile north of I-90 and south of the northern point of Bailey peninsula from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The east high-rise of I-90 will be closed to all boat traffic from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Waters to the north of Bailey Peninsula will be closed from 7 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Andrews Bay (Seward Park) will be cleared by 8 a.m.
August 5
The air show and hydroplane races 2:30p.m.-6 p.m. with the air show leading it off from 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. A fireworks show will start at 9:45 p.m.
August 6
The air show and hydroplane races are from 2:30-5 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
